lastly, the president began his address with this declare tiff statement. >> raising the debt ceiling does not authorize more spending. it simply allows the country to pay for spending that congress has already committed to. >> reporter: the statement is true. while the debt ceiling enhances our ability to spend, federal budget resolutions originate where the congress must ultimately approve them. what will happen if the congress doesn't move to raise the debt ceiling? there's two possible scenarios. the government waits until it has enough money to pay all its obligations for a single day and then it sends out payments late or, two, it can pick and choose winners until the situation gets resolved. president obama's warning of a near total government shutdown is untrue. sam brock, nbc bay area news. >>> some good insight there. president obama also addressed gun control. he wants universal background checks and a ban on assault rifles. nbc bay area's janelle wang has more in our world tonight. >>> tomorrow vice president joe biden is expected to bring similar recommendations to the pr